NYPD cops attacked: 7 indicted in melee near Times Square migrant shelter
NEW YORK CITY - A grand jury has returned an indictment on seven people for their role in an assault on two NYPD officers in NYC last month.
This comes as police released body camera video of the Jan. 27 melee near a Times Square migrant shelter and released new images of two more men wanted for the attack.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Bragg defended the time it took to bring down the indictment, saying that his office wanted to make sure it brought the correct suspects to justice.
"Based on our thorough investigation, I stand here today confident that we have identified the roles of every person that broke the law and participated in this heinous attack," Bragg said.
Five of the people indicted are facing felony charges.
The press conference comes as questions remain about how Bragg has handled the case. There are also growing calls for him to be removed from office.
Bragg said that the point of the press conference Thursday was to announce charges, so the public could help with identifying/locating the remaining suspects.
Bragg also confirmed that the migrants arrested this week in Arizona were not connected to the attack on the NYPD officers.
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Manhattan DA seeks public's aid in identifying Times Square attackers
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office is asking the public for help in identifying two migrants who attacked two NYPD officers in Times Square on January 27th.
"Alvin Bragg is really a disgrace as a district attorney." St. Sen. Rob Ortt said.
Out of the migrants charged with felonies, Yohenry Brito is the only suspect currently at Rikers Island. The others were released without bail.
Migrants arrested in Arizona
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had reported four suspects that were believed to have skipped town were picked up in Arizona, but the DA's office is pushing back, saying the four are not connected to the case.
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Arizona migrants arrested 'not affiliated' with NYPD attack case despite reports: DA
Four migrants arrested in Arizona Monday are "not affiliated" with the investigation into the brutal Times Square beating of two NYPD officers, despite earlier reports, according to the Manhattan DA.
"The Manhattan D.A.’s Office was informed yesterday by HSI that the four individuals they took into custody were not affiliated with the New York City investigation," Manhattan D.A. Communications Director Danielle Filson said. ICE has not responded to FOX 5 NY's numerous requests for comment.
In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Republican lawmakers echoed calls for the removal of Bragg from office.
‘Not performing the duties that we expect’
"She (Hochul) should remove him from office because he simply is not performing the duties that we expect the district attorney to do," Ortt said.
In a statement, the DA's office defended Bragg's record, saying, "As the district attorney and the New York City police commissioner clearly stated this weekend, and as Mayor Adams echoed this week, we are working closely with the NYPD to make positive identifications, build our case and hold those responsible, accountable."
Mayor Eric Adams, as he was leaving an event Wednesday, quickly agreed, saying, "I have confidence in the district attorney and I think he’s going to do a good job."
The DA's office also tried to explain why they didn’t request bail for one of the suspects – Kelvin Servita Arocha – because they said he kicked the police radio, not the officer. However, Arocha was charged with a felony.